CDC announces workshop to prepare medical professionals for a nuclear strike on the U.S.

The Center for Disease Control has announced a public health workshop set for later this month with the goal of preparing healthcare professionals for the possibility of a nuclear strike within the United States.

Join us for this session of Grand Rounds to learn what public health programs have done on a federal, state, and local level to prepare for a nuclear detonation,” urged a CDC email sent out to the agency’s mailing lists on Friday. “Learn how planning and preparation efforts for a nuclear detonation are similar and different from other emergency response planning efforts.”

Throughout years of progressive escalation in North Korea’s weapons programs and rhetoric, Kim Jong Un has continuously used the ability to execute a nuclear strike on the Eastern seaboard of the United States as his yard stick for success. In fact, after the November test of Kim’s most powerful ICBM platform to date, the Hwasong-15, Kim’s regime released images of North Korean officials celebrating all over the nation, declaring their endeavor a success based only on the fact that the platform seemed to demonstrate the ability to cover the thousands of miles between North Korean territory and the American capital in Washington D.C.

Kim Jong Un inspects a Hwasong-15 ICBM.

Kim isn’t the only leader that has made a habit of using the United States as a nuclear measuring stick. In 2016, Russia unveiled their latest and most powerful ICBM, the aptly named Satan II. In their announcement of the 100 ton, nuclear tipped intercontinental ballistic missile, Russian officials described its destructive capability by using the state of Texas as the unit of measurement. According to Russia, a single Satan II is capable of laying waste to the entire state.

With constant threats of nuclear first strikes being levied by Kim’s North Korean regime, and rapidly advancing nuclear missile platforms being fielded by both Russia and another Pacific competitor, China, the CDC clearly seems to believe the time is right for a resurgence in Cold War-like nuclear preparations.

While a nuclear detonation is unlikely, it would have devastating results and there would be limited time to take critical protection steps. Despite the fear surrounding such an event, planning and preparation can lessen deaths and illness.” The CDC explains on the website describing the workshop.

“For instance, most people don’t realize that sheltering in place for at least 24 hours is crucial to saving lives and reducing exposure to radiation. While federal, state, and local agencies will lead the immediate response efforts, public health will play a key role in responding.”

The CDC holds these types of workshops on a nearly monthly basis, and although CDC has stated that their decision to hold this workshop isn’t related to North Korean tensions, the fact that this is the first workshop related to a nuclear response since 2010 is telling. A nuclear strike on the United States may indeed be unlikely, but it would seem the CDC wants to be prepared… just in case.

About the Author

About Alex Hollings

Alex Hollings writes on a breadth of subjects ranging from fitness to foreign policy, all presented through the lens of his experiences as a U.S. Marine, athlete and scholar. A football player, rugby player and fighter, Hollings has spent the better part of his adult life competing in some of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. Hollings possesses a master's degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Framingham State University.

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James Walper

I'd imagine some people in Russian Intelligence would probably sabotage DPRK weapons given the chance. Kinda like how you see the odd RPG explode in the hands of its user. Sometimes the best way for peace is to claim ignorance on faulty products you sell to insane individuals.

Back Doc

It has been reported today on twitter by DefenseOne writer Marcus Weisburger that when asked about what his biggest military concern was in 2018, Jim Mattis responded that, "“I don’t have concerns. I create them”.
Employing the principles of Nuclear Deterrence in geopolitics involves preparation for all aspects of surviving a first strike.
Same DefenseOne reporter also followed up that tweet with another noting that Mattis will release the DoD's new national defense strategy later this month too.
I expect that a thorough renewal of nuclear deterrence strategy will be involved in what is released.

Andrew K

Every time I read stories like this I think we should be placing MUCH more emphasis on developing our anti-missile systems. To do otherwise is just plain foolish. I hope the systems we do have work much better than we advertise. I’m sure the Russians would consider it an escalation of tension for us to do so (and perhaps spark a new arms race), but just like the space race I feel pretty confident we could win that one too.
The ability to shoot down hundreds or thousands of incoming ICBM’s is likely not realistic, but to shoot down 10 or 20 would be a huge comfort from the evils of the North Koreans, Iran, and other smaller nuclear powers (plus any “accidental” launches from a China or Russia).

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